AGM - November 2023
The following reports were presented to the AGM on 23.11.23 (copied below):
- Annual Report
- Treasurers Report
The minutes are provided below:
Date and time 20th November 2023 starting at 7:30 p.m.
Location Function room of the Six Bells ,High Street , Fulbourn.
1. Remembrance P Collis led this
2. Welcome & Apologies Claydon welcomed those present ( Full list of those present at end of this report ) and asked for any apologies
Apologies received from L Woor , Mr & Mrs Scullion , B Phillips ( it was noted that B.Phillips was not a RBL member )
3. Agreement of the minutes if the 2022 AGM With the change of Linden to Linton these where agreed as a true record Proposed by P.Collis seconded by M Woolcock
4 & 5. Presidents & Chairmans report This report was read out by T.Claydon a copy is attached . A round of applause was given to P Thorbinson.
6. Treasures Report As the branches financial year ends in June the accounts were approved by the Branch committee at their July meeting they have since been sent to County for ratification and have been returned as approved. It was noted that the annual donation from Rosie Norman had not materialised recently. She apologised and has now set up a standing order. Report Attached.
6a Poppy Appeal Organiser Report In the absence of B Phillips this was given by D Glover the report attached. Further discussion took place on the future of this position. This to be added to the agenda for a branch committee meeting.
It was noted that the tins are being counted by members of the Cambridge Building Society at their main H.Q. They will be providing a list of the contents of each individual box. This is being carried out by members of staff on a voluntary basis. It was felt that this needs to better publicised.
7 Election of Officers . It was noted that R.Payne has been unable to attend any meetings therefore he had been contacted and asked if he would be willing to become Branch President. I was also suggested that Lucy Lewis (who lives in the village and was the first female Bomb disposal officer ) becomes Vice president. Those present unanimously agreed to these appointments.
There had been two nominations put forward
G.Norden for that of Chairman and T.Claydon for that of Secretary .
P.Collis Proposed seconded by C.Thorbinson that G.Norden be Chairman
J.Stevens Proposed Seconded by P.Cox that T.Claydon be Secretary .
Both appointments were unanimously agreed by those present.
Committee Members . Those current members all agreed to continue. S Hurst expressed a wish to become a committee member this was approved. The committee therefore being :-
P Collis M Woolcock P Cox L Woor J Stevens C Thorbinson P Thorbinson S Hurst
The meeting ended at 8:15 p.m.
Attendees
P Cox T Claydon D Glover P Collis G Norden Mr & Mrs Stevens
Mr & Mrs Thorbinson M Purkins M Woolcock R George S Hurst
ANNUAL REPORT
This report has been complied by the Branch Secretary with additional information by the minute secretary.
This year has seen us say goodbye to two of not only Fulbourn village stalwarts but long-standing members of this Branch who have held the posts of Standard Bearer, Chairman and President.
John White was born in in 1936 and passed away on 17th December last year. His Funeral was on 13th February at St Vigors. We have since erected a Plaque on one of the benches opposite the War Memorial in his honour.
Fred Plumb was born in 1934 and passed away on 8th September this year. His Funeral was on 3rd October at The Chapel. We have ordered a plaque in memory of Fred which will be attached to one of the benches opposite the War Memorial.
The Kings Coronation
This was scheduled for the Saturday 6th May with a Bank holiday on the Monday.
On 9th January the Branch (once again as with The Queens Platinum Celebrations), spearheaded the drive to invite all the village groups/organisations to come to a meeting in order to discuss potential village events to recognise The Kings Coronation.
Over 20 different groups sent representatives and the following months witnessed an immense amount of planning which culminated in a whole raft of events which took place over a very successful weekend.
The Branch and event team received tremendous support from so many people, too many to mention here, but we should perhaps record our gratitude to the Wright Clock Fund Trustees who accepted our application. We were awarded £6,500 towards Coronation events. Without this funding, many of those events would not have taken place.
Without going into detail some of the events. The varied musical entertainment held at the Six Bells over the weekend, the Family Fun Run, The Coronation Scarecrow. The provision of The Commemorative Tree and Bench by The Gardening Society, an endless tapestry of Bunting and stitching display by Village Stitches. The acquisition of 500 Coronation Mugs, one each going to the Schoolchildren, Domino Nursery and Baby Dragons. From the sale of the surplus mugs, we were able to donate £330.00 to the Village Youth Club.
A final point concerning King Charles Coronation concerns one member of this Branch whose continuous professionalism and dedication in his role as Standard Bearer was duly recognised and honoured.
Our very own Paul Thorbinson was selected to be one of only 100 British Legion Standard Bearers on parade in parliament square on the day of The Coronation - an immense honour for both Paul, his family and the branch. If you speak to Paul, he will give you the semantics (and antics), of the occasion in detail but Paul - very well done but so thoroughly deserved.
The Six Bells
It is only right and proper that we give our heartfelt thanks to Neil & Sarah at The Six Bells. The Branch continues to receive such tremendous support from The Bells (and its management), as it has done since 1921 in the days of Tolly Cobbled Brewery. Not only for its monthly meetings, but a special thanks goes to them for hosting. The Coronation Luncheon for some 70 senior Citizens, a magnificent achievement, wonderful that it included residents from both Home Close and Chaplains.
Fulbourn Feast
Once again, we were a very visual presence at The Feast which is of vital importance. We should perhaps endeavour to give thought well in advance to next year’s content.
Social Events
There were 2 Tea Dance in the last 12 months. The first was on 11th December and the second more recently on 7th October. Thanks to Pauline for organising with the help from Lorna, Jean and Peter. Both dances were enjoyed by all who attended. A bouquet of flowers was presented to Jean Stevens for over ten years’ service as Branch Minute Secretary at the October dance.
Affiliation
This year has seen the Branch Affiliate with the 57th Fulbourn Scout Troop. This took place in October at The Scout HQ with Certificate and individual badges being issued to every Scout to wear on their uniform. The events were overseen by Tony Claydon who is both Branch Committee member and for many years associated with Scouting in Cambridgeshire including the 57th and, of course son Mark being a 57th Scout Leader. The Branch secretary and Chairman are also past members of the 57th.
The Scouts have already joined us supporting the Poppy Appeal by collecting at Tesco this year and on parade (as usual), in the village Remembrance service and Parade.
We are of course also affiliated with Cambridge City 104 Squadron Air Cadets who joined us at this year’s Cambridge United home FA Cup Draw against Bracknell at the Abbey Stadium on 4th November. Twelve members of 104 Squadron were deployed with buckets around the stadium, the monies raised totalled in excess of £500 -a superb achievement.
Poppy Appeal
Due to work commitments Ben Philips found it difficult to devote the required amount of time to the role this year. Dave Glover accepted a request from County to be elected as a joint Poppy Appeal Organiser to provide support. Our thanks go to David for his work in this role. There will be a separate report on the poppy appeal.
Remembrance weekend.
We were very pleased that the whole School Attended the memorial on Friday and laid around 200 crosses. Very moving ceremony. On Saturday (the 11th) around a dozen people where at the memorial at 11:00 to remember those fallen. The exhortation was given by Ron Payne. On Sunday a good turnout for the service and parade. The deputy Lord Lieutenant joined us.
The future
- The Branch are in the process of acquiring a larger store shed which has been agreed and will be in place early next year. We have simply outgrown the current structure and the replacement should be more than adequate for many years so is a worthwhile investment.
- We are also looking at replacing one of the current small gazebos as the have passed their best.
- Our thanks goes to all on the committee and those who have helped in various ways.
- All Officer posts are due for re-election. For the Branch to go forward and strengthen means all posts should be filled by those who have both the capability and determination for the Branch to remain successful by continuing to be a key organisation within the community.
TREASURER REPORT
The latest Branch Accounts were approved by the Branch Committee on 1 July 2024.
An Independent Examination of the Summary of Income and Expenditure together with books and
vouchers relating to those summaries was undertaken by Debbie Reynolds, RBL Independent Examiner.
A copy of the Branch Accounts was issued to the County Membership Support Officer on 25 July. One query
was raised by County which was answered / clarified on 5 September.
Summary of Balances:
Balance held 30 June 2023 £12,223.61 Bank = £513.17; BFI account = £11,674.49, Cash = £35.95
Balance held 30 June 2024 £11,751.47 Bank = £737.80; BFI account = £10,864.05, Cash = £149.62
Decrease in year to 30 June 2024 £472.14
Summary of Receipt and Payments Main income / expenditure:
Receipts:
Legacies £0.00
Donations £242.00 - In memory of Fred Plumb £200.00,Wreaths £40.00, Other £2.00
Fundraising £762.67 - Tea Dance £649.00; Fulbourn Feast £113.67 (inc. Xmas card sales)
Interest received £189.56 - BFI account £189.56
Other £0.00
Total £1,194.23
Expenditure:
Branch fundraising expenditure £129.62 - Xmas Cards (for re-sale) £16.50, Polo shirts £63.72, Tea Dance food £40.00, Other £9.40
Ceremonial expenditure £470.70 - Dignitary refreshments £270.00, Badges & Wreaths £37.50, Standard Bearers Equipment £163.20
Purchase of branch equipment £425.59 - Silhouette Statues £317.50, Card Reader £70.80, Storage box £22.74, Leaflet holders £14.55
Conferences and meetings £28.00 - County Conference attendees £28.00
Bank charges £0.03 - Card Reader charges £0.03
Miscellaneous £612.43 - Memorial plaques £61.66, D-Day events £492.22, Welfare £10.00, Other
Total £1,666.37
